If you’re one of those people who are passionate about culture and especially art in all its forms, you’ll love discovering the museums of Palma de Mallorca during your stay at our seductive Boutique Hotel in Palma or at Samaritana Suites, our luxury accommodation right in the heart of the city.
Palma de Mallorca is a city that not only beguiles people with its marvellous beaches and its enchanting and evocative streets, particularly those of its old town, it also boasts a rich cultural offering, making it a perfect place to visit all year round; this is something we have already touched on in a previous article, where we offered you a long list of reasons for visiting Mallorca in winter.
In the present article, we set out a selection of Palma de Mallorca’s finest museums so you can sample the best of its cultural offering during your visit to our wonderful city.
ES BALUARD: MODERN AND CONTEMPORARY ART MUSEUM
Es Baluard is one of the most important and best-known museums on the island of Mallorca. Here you can find more than 500 modern and contemporary artworks all with one thing in common: they were created by artists with a connection to the island, whether natives or from overseas.
The museum enables you to appreciate the work of Miquel Barceló, Santiago Calatrava, Rebecca Horn, Francesca Martí and Picasso, among many other renowned artists.
CITY MUSEUM (MUSEO DE LA CIUDAD)
The Museo de Historia de la Ciudad de Palma (City of Palma History Museum) is housed within the Castillo de Belver, a striking Gothic-style fortification located barely three kilometres from Palma de Mallorca.
This museum offers a reprise of the city’s history, from the earliest Talaiotic settlements up to the 20th century. It also boasts a fascinating collection of classical sculptures and epigraphic artefacts that once belonged to Antonio Despuig, one of the most outstanding figures in the Mallorcan enlightenment.
LA AMUDAINA ROYAL PALACE
Located next to Palma cathedral, this beautiful palace has a number of subsidiary buildings that are open to the public, and visiting them is an unalloyed delight.
La Almudaina Royal Palace enables you to gaze in wonder at the beautiful tapestries and the stunning paintings that adorn its walls and to appreciate its unique examples of Gothic and Islamic architecture. Mention must also be made of the marvellous chapel of Santa Ana housed in its interior, with a remarkable Romanic entrance carved in marble.
CATHEDRAL MUSEUM OF PALMA
The cathedral of Mallorca dominates the entire bay of Palma and is the first thing travellers see when they enter the city.
Visiting this Gothic edifice, renovated by the great Antonio Gaudí, is an absolute must. Its museum has three major sections: the old sacristy, known as dels Vermells, which dates back to the 14th century; the old chapterhouse, built in Gothic style and attributed to Guillem Sagrera; and the chapterhouse, built in baroque style and decorated with striking floral motifs.
JUAN MARCH FOUNDATION
The headquarters of the Juan March Foundation in Palma de Mallorca are located in an old mansion that plays host to temporary exhibitions showcasing numerous international artists and movements.
These complement a permanent exhibition featuring a meticulously curated display that includes a large number of celebrated contemporary artists of the calibre of Miró, Gris and Dalí.
SAN CARLOS MUSEUM
The San Carlos Military History Museum is located in what is known as the Dique del Oeste or western dock of Palma bay and is a military castle that still retains virtually all its rooms, being used mainly as a gallery for exhibitions with temporary and permanent collections related to the military history of the Balearic Islands.
Visitors to the museum can find more than 3,600 objects dating from ancient antiquity to the present day, including dioramas, historic uniforms, flags and firearms.
PILAR AND JOAN MIRÓ FOUNDATION
At the Pilar and Joan Miró Foundation you’ll be able to discover the art of this prolific artist and study his creative process thanks to an extensive collection that boasts a large number of his artworks, including paintings, sculptures, drawings, sketches and all manner of documents.
The museum also houses his studio, which has been preserved intact since his death.
It is located next to Son Abrintes, which was Miró’s private residence during his lifetime and the place where he had his first workshop.
RIALTO LIVING
Rialto Living is a fabulous lifestyle store in a 15th-century building that boasts a marvellous art gallery in its upper section with new exhibitions every month; these showcase the work of Spanish and foreign specialists in various disciplines, including photography, collages, watercolours, lithography and sculpture.
As well as an art gallery, Rialto Living is also a boutique where you can buy the finest textiles, furniture, home décor, fashion and gifts. It additionally offers a cafe and restaurant, located in its patio.
GALERÍA BARÓ
Galería BARÓ specialises in contemporary and recently-created art and is located right in the heart of Palma de Mallorca’s old town.
Here you’ll be able to view some of the city’s finest contemporary artworks with a selection chosen by its owner, María Baró, who boasts more than thirty years’ experience in the international art world.
